FirmGreen gets project of the year recognition from US EPA

FirmGreen, Inc. (FGI) was recognized today at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) annual conference with a Project of the Year Award for its Green Energy Center (GEC). The high Btu landfill gas utilization project, located near Columbus, Ohio is a public-private partnership with the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO).

“From the day the Green Energy Center was conceived, we believed it was a project with far-reaching benefits,” says SWACO Executive Director Ron Mills. This award from the U.S. EPA will help us tell the story. The Center shows American ingenuity is alive and well and that we can grow regional energy hubs to help meet our country’s future needs.”

FGI used its patented CO2 Wash® landfill gas (LFG) clean-up technology to convert raw LFG that would otherwise be flared into pipeline quality natural gas for a potential array of clean, renewable energy sources. The CO2 Wash unit processes 300scfm of raw LFG into ultra-pure medium Btu methane that powers a 250kW micro turbine to generate electricity for the facility. The high Btu methane is used as a fuel for SWACO vehicles. The clean-up technology was invented in Ohio by Acrion Technologies, Inc.

“FirmGreen is much honored to have been selected as EPA’s Project of the Year,” stated Steve Wilburn, founder and CEO of FirmGreen, Inc. “We have worked closely with the Landfill Methane Outreach Program staff for several years and congratulate them on their dedication and support. The Program is really one of the true success stories within our federal government.”

“By utilizing waste gases generated from SWACO’s landfill, we produce domestic, renewable transportation fuels, improve the environment and generate economic growth. We are proud of our ongoing partnership with SWACO as we work to clean our air, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, provide clean and affordable vehicle fuels, and spur job creation.”

“Forward thinking and dedication are key ingredients to successful alternative energy projects like the Green Energy Center,” said Rachel Goldstein, EPA LMOP Program Manager. “It is a win for the environment and the local community.”

The GEC demonstrates the technical and economic feasibility of utilizing CO2 Wash as the technology platform for a smaller scale high Btu landfill gas project. The project accomplished its goals with a facilities design that:

• is self-sustaining; an Ingersoll Rand microturbine powered by a portion of the cleaned LFG generates enough electricity for the project’s operations.
• demonstrates that smaller landfill operations have a viable LFG utilization option that improves air quality at the site, and can provide a stable, long term source of alternative fuel for their fleet that is cleaner than the fossil-based fuel it replaces, at a competitive cost
• enables SWACO to respond effectively to national environmental policy with a single project.